Wyoming Immigration Detention Center Faces Opposition

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Some residents are fighting a proposal to build an immigration detention center in southwestern Wyoming.

Utah-based Management and Training Corporation wants to build the detention center near Evanston but some fear it could hurt the city's Hispanic population and harm efforts to build their trust in law enforcement.

During a meeting with officials on March 17, opponents showed a film focusing on how arrests of immigrants in the country illegally hurt the families they leave behind.

Evanston attorney Tim Beppler said that just considering the proposal was "disrespecting" the Hispanic community.

Uinta County Commissioner Craig Welling said commissioners are committed to visiting a MTC facility before voting on the proposal. Activist Antonio Serrano encouraged Welling to make a surprise visit to get the most honest view.